Donald Walker Hughes

Donald Walker Hughes,105, joined his beloved wife in eternity, passing away peacefully at his residence at Rogue Valley Manor, Medford, Oregon on April 2, 2024. Donald (Don) was born on November 30, 1918, at the family home in Pu’unene, Maui, Territory of Hawaii, to Robert Edwin and Alice Walker Hughes.

Growing up he loved the water. He surfed, fished, and swam in the ocean. His father, Bob Hughes, was the coach for the Pu’unene Athletic Club swim team, of which Don was a member. He won his first medal at age 14. He swam competitively from 1932 to 1938 winning a total of 39 medals. His speciality was the 50 yd. and 100 yd. freestyle. He held many records over the years, some of which he broke himself. He always strived to better his race time.

Throughout his life, he loved to tease his siblings, cared deeply for family, and loved his desserts! He enjoyed capturing everyday family life on film, starting with an 8mm movie camera which he received at age 15.

Mary Lawrence came into his life in 1947. In 1948 they married, settled into a plantation home in Pu’unene, and started a family. They moved to a house they built in Spreckelsville in 1953 and then moved upcountry to Kula in 1967.

He worked in the Field Department at the Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. for 45 years, from 1938 to 1983. His earliest duties were carried out on horseback. He held several supervisory positions. Most notably, he managed the extensive systems of crop irrigation used by HC&S. After Don's retirement, he and Mary traveled often to the mainland to visit family. They took guided tours across the U.S., Europe, and some ocean cruises.

In 1995 they moved from Kula, Maui to Medford, Oregon to live at Rogue Valley Manor (RVM). They took frequent road trips to Eagle, Idaho to visit their daughter, Alice and son-in-law, David Whiting, and their two grandchildren, Cory and Britney. Annual trips to Hawaii for special birthdays and other events were always a top priority. During his early years at RVM, Don joined the Croquet Club and soon became an expert player winning croquet tournaments. He continued to play croquet, and taught others how to play.

Don and Mary lived in their RVM cottage for 9 years, before moving to an apartment in the Main Manor tower in 2004. Finally, in 2010, they moved to an apartment in the RVM Residential Living wing. They accomplished their goal of always staying together until Mary passed away in 2015 at 95. They had a beautiful marriage that lasted 66 ½ years.

He is survived by his son, Donald Franklin Hughes; daughter, Alice Louise (David) Whiting; grandson, Cory D. (Tori) Blackthorne; granddaughter, Britney M. (Jordan) Whiting-Looze; sister, Nevis A. (Andrew) de Laveaga; and multiple nieces and nephews to whom he was a beloved Uncle Donnie.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert H. and Richard E. Hughes, and sisters, Barbara J. Cannon and Maybelle M. Helfrich.

A memorial service was held at the Rogue Valley Manor on April 17. He will be laid to rest October 24, 2024 in the family plot at Makawao Cemetery on Maui.